RainsWriter(Blog)

Odd varieties of life insert themselves upon one another even though the fit often does not match. Thus it is with wild critters who deem to reside in the environs of human habitation.

An immature fatuous rabbit hops up and down both sides of our street pausing to nibble clover in the yards. My heart lifts and a smile emerges when I spot him. Being a misplaced country girl, seeing a wild creature is a boon to the spirit.

One of the fallen apples from my tree has been half-eaten by an animal with large teeth…surely the cottontail. Since feral cats frequent the area, I fear the rabbit may have taken up residency in an abattoir. A prayer is sent up for his safety.

​Recently, at dusk when the shadows were deep and quiet descended on the neighborhood, the dogs began raising a ruckus at the back fence. Not heeding commands to cease, I headed over preparing to imitate my worst cat snarling vocal. It usually works. Scares the bejeezus out of the cat who takes immediate flight. However, this cat may have been deaf.

Having carried a bottle of drinking water with me, I began throwing water across the fence at the creature. Suddenly, the white stripes on the black body became apparent as he maneuvered himself (or herself) into position to aim his artillery.

Who would have thought this old body could move that fast? ​The dogs, sensing retreat was necessary, hightailed it, too.

The next day, a small skunk was sprawled lifeless in the street a half block away. Although I considered myself and my dogs fortunate, indeed, to have escaped wearing eau de skunk, it still saddened me to see this small undomesticated creature fatally injured.

Wild animals who try to reside alongside humans probably have no longer life span, and perhaps shorter, than those who dwell in the wild.

They have to contend with constant vehicular traffic. They raise the ire of those who do not want their cabbages or lettuce becoming a critter banquet. Plus, these small creatures have to contend with those humans who have no conscious about killing small animals.

Perhaps we should remember what Hildegard of Bingen (twelfth century) said, “Without the Word of God no creature has being. God’s Word is in all creation, visible and invisible.” Or Job 12: 7 “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you…”Centuries have passed between those words and today. Let us not lose the understanding that even misplaced critters so lovingly bestowed upon us have significance and lessons to teach. Could my lesson have been that when properly prompted, rapid movement can still occur? Wowza.

Terry, there are two paragraphs missing towards the end of the article. My dear friend who publishes them for me will probably correct it soon. It doesn't make much sense as it now reads. Thank you for the comment. You are a good friend.

I love skunks, stinky as they are and for all the allergic reaction they cause to my respiratory system. We had some in the village whose mama got killed. Several of us watched over them and ensured they were fed until they got bigger and went their own way.

Glad you didn't get sprayed and so sorry for the outcome of the little one. 😕

Thanks, Angelia. I have been wondering if this little skunk had an undeveloped "stinky" sac. It definitely had plenty of time to spray both the dogs and I. Also, there was no stink when it was hit by an auto. Poor little critter.